74 Hood Latch - cable broke - how to open hood?

[Norman S.]

Just got a 74 -- it thanked me by the hood pull going inop. I think the bolt on the end of the wire has slipped.
Any ideas on how to get it open??
Thanks.

[Bill I.]

Re: 74 Hood Latch - cable broke - how to open hood?

Norm, can't help on a 74 since I have a 67. But, it what you think really did happen, the cable should be bent after the set screw to prevent this from occuring. Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: 74 Hood Latch - cable broke - how to open hood?

I'm not sure how this works on a 1974, but this is what one does on an early C3 if the side grille is not removable.

If the cable from the cockpit handle broke or slipped, access is from the bottom -- remove the triangular sharped splash plate behind the driver's wheel and reach up and trip the latch.

This is sooo much easier if you have the car on a lift, but it can be done with it on jack stands -- be sure to use jack stands and not just a jack. the life you save may be your own.

Oh and it helps to have long arms also.

If the cable connecting the two hood latches -- the cable across the back of the hood -- breakes the driver's side latch will open from inside the car. There is a hole in the fiberglass bulkhead for the wiper compartment near the passenger side latch. It will be plugged with a black plastic plug. Push the plug out (toward the engine compartment) and insert a 6-inch or so screwdriver to trip the passenger side latch.

ALL of you without hood latch troubles should study the configuration of your hood latches and think about what you would do when the cable(s) brake. Note it is not IF the cable(s) brake, but WHEN they break.

[Norman S.]

Re: 74 Hood Latch - cable broke - how to open hood?

Thanks, Terry.
That's great info. I'll file it for the next time it happens.
Finally got it fixed-- hood out of alignment slightly with the bottom latch. (cable not broken)
Appreciate your time.
Norm

[Bill I.]

Re: 74 Hood Latch - cable broke - how to open hood?

Norm, don't keep us in suspense, how did you get the hood open? Bill

[Norman S.]

Re: 74 Hood Latch - cable broke - how to open hood?

Hi Bill--
Turned out the cable was not broken.
The bottom latch (with the cable) was malajusted. I grabbed the hood and pulled it back and forth along with pulling out the hood latch inside and it finally sprung open. Adjusted the mechanism and it works better than new.
The previous owner of 34 years said it "was always tricky trying to open the hood".
Norm